The Strengths Based Approach, also known as Asset Based Community Development, focuses on the strengths, capacities and assets of communities so that they may be architects of their own better futures.

Major donors play an important role in supporting our work to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. Caritas Australia values meaningful partnerships, and we are able to tailor different options for major donor support.

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A global snapshot of our work

Caritas Australia is committed to working with Indigenous Peoples across the world. Some of our programs are wholly targeted at Indigenous communities, while others target Indigenous communities specifically within larger integrated community development programs.

Indigenous Peoples programs case studies:

Nepal - Caritas Australia is helping the Bote ethnic group in Nepal learn to read and write, and to learn sustainable crop farming methods through an Integrated Pest Management project. Read more about the program.

Indonesia - Caritas Australia’s Partner – The Justice and Peace Forum of the Indonesian Catholic Bishops Conference (KWI) – has been active in helping the Indigenous Peoples of Papua and Kalimantan to voice and uphold their fundamental rights, and to protect their forests from exploitative land grabbing practises. Read the statement [English translation] from their third annual meeting on the theme - Recovering the rights to life of the Indigenous Peoples of Papua and Kalimantan - held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Bangladesh - Caritas Australia supports Indigenous (adivasi) communities in the Dinajpur region of northern Bangladesh to protect their land from ‘land grabbers’ and increase their access to education and employment opportunities.

Philippines - In the Camarines Norte Province of Philippines, Caritas Australia is working with local partner SPACFI (Caritas Daet) to improve the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of the local Kabihug people. Read more about the program.

Myanmar - With its partner Karuna Kengtung Social Services, Caritas Australia is helping to implement a project aimed at saving the indigenous language of the Akha people.

Bolivia - Indigenous groups involved with Caritas Australia’s Partner CINEP’s Ethno Eco Tourism program include the Yuracaré and Yuqui groups in the Bolivian Amazon. These communities are now creating more sustainable incomes, preserving their traditional culture and defending their natural resources. Read more about the program.

Australia - In the Central Australian desert country, Caritas Australia, through its partner Tjanpi Desert Weavers, is supporting more than 300 weavers from 28 communities to maintain Aboriginal desert weaving culture and create culturally appropriate sustainable employment.Read more about the program.

India - Caritas Australia is empowering local Indigenous communities including the Santal, Orons, Mundas, Hos and Kharias in Jharkhand, India, to access employment opportunities and protect their rights to land and culture.

Related links

Image gallery:

WAO Event in Freemantle - Acacia Armstrong

In the lead up to the expected referendum in 2015, Acacia Armstrong and our WA Caritas team hosted an event at Clancys Fish Pub in Freemantle to raise awareness of the need to recognise Indigenous Peoples as First Australians in the Australian Constitution.

WAO Event - Freemantle

In the lead up to the expected referendum in 2015, Acacia Armstrong and our WA Caritas team hosted an event at Clancys Fish Pub in Freemantle to raise awareness of the need to recognise Indigenous Peoples as First Australians in the Australian Constitution.

Mt Maria College in Mitchelton QLD

Students from Mt Maria College in Mitchelton QLD get on board with the Walk As One campaign. They collected over 150 signatures telling the Australian Government that Indigenous justice matters to them.

Pasorapa, Bolivia

This family is a part of an indigenous food sustainability program called Pujillay focusing on youth and families development for 8-15 year olds. The program is in Pasopara, a town in the department of Cochabumba, one of the driest regions of Bolivia.

Caritas Australia is the international aid and development organisation of the Catholic Church in Australia. We are a member of the Fundraising Institute of Australia, the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and the Church Agencies Network. We are endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as a Deductible Gift Recipient (ABN 90 970 605 069) with charity status. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.